Drafting and lettering machine



Aug. 31, 1937. L. MacDONALD 2,091,288

DRAFTING AND LETTERING MACHINE Filed Oct. 24, 1950 -5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 31, 1937. M DONALD DRAFTING' AND LETTERING MACHINE Filegl Oct. 24, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 24, 1930 IINVENTOR Patented Aug. 31, 1937 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE Application October 24,

41 Claims.

My invention is a combined lettering machine and drafting machine having a protractor with rules angularly adjustable with respect to the protractor, and a pantographic lettering appliance interchangeable with the protractor, whereby it may be used as a drafting machine, or as a lettering machine for lettering drawings, and for drawing the conventional symbols used in certain classes of drawings. Larger machines may be used for sign writing, and wall decoration with ornamental designs on interchangeable master plates. It includes improvements in the pantographic copying mechanism wherein instead of shifting the characters of the master copy into 5 position for being copied in line with each other, the master copy is relatively stationary, and means are employed for shifting the tracing mechanism into position for tracing the correspondingly positioned characters of the master E0 copy without displacing the copying mechanism whereby the characters of the master copy are copied in line with each other when the pantographic mechanism is advanced to space the copied characters. It has improved tracing mechanism and copying mechanism, a quickly adjustable pantograph, and an improved straightedge and arrangements of the same for the expeditious use of the lettering appliance and the drafting appliance. And, it includes spacing mechanism, and clutches for holding the carriage and the straight-edge fast at any point, and other features and advantages apparent from the following description in which, Fig. 1 is a plan view of the lettering mechanism attached to 5 the carriage on the straight-edge. Fig. 2 is a front elevation partly in section on the line 2-2 of Fig. l of the lettering mechanism detached from the carriage. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the machine with the copying mechanism detached, the machine being mounted on guides which may be attached to the sides of a drawing board not shown. Fig. 5 is a vertical section of the carriage and straight-edge on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a vertical section on the line 66 of Fig. l with the grooved master plate removed. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the straight-edge and its clutch mechanism and spacing mechanism mounted on the guides. Figs. '7 and 9 are end views of the same. Fig. 10 is a view of the master copy of grooved designs containing the elements of capitals, small letters, and figures. Figs. 11, 12, 13, and 14 are views of the clutch members carried by the straight-edge. 55 Figs. 15 and 16 are views of the carriage clutch 1930, Serial No. 490,880

members. Fig. l? is a plan view of the machine mounted on a drawing board. Fig. 18 is a rear elevation partly in section of the slotted cross bar of the adjustable pantograph with the drawing pen mounted on it, and with the bar I84 turned to give an end view of it and a side view of the mechanism operated by it. Fig. 18A is an elevation on the line iiiA-l8A of Fig. 18 of the drawing pen and its mechanism mounted on bar i5. Fig. 19 is a plan view showing the cord attached to the lower end of the straight-edge when only one guide bar is used. Fig. 20 is a vertical sectional view of the drawing pen. Fig. 21 is the cleaning and closing rod of the same. Fig. 22 is a vertical sectional view of the tracer. Fig. 23 is an end view of the same. Fig. 24 is a sectional view of the ball bearing of the carriage. Fig. '25 is a plan view of a different species of copying mechanism which may be employed with the machine. Fig. 26 is an elevation of the same. Fig. 2'7 is a plan view of a modification of the species of Fig. 25. Fig. 28 is an end view of the same. Fig. 29 shows one way of connecting the drawing pen with the modification.

Similar numerals refer to similar throughout the several views.

Referring to Figs, '7, 8, and 9, a straight-edge I has its edges curved inward forming a channel with inner straight edges. A shaft 2 is housed within one side of the straight-edge, and has a wide faced wheel 3 fixed on one end. A wide faced wheel l having a groove 5 in its periphery is fixed on the opposite end. A plate or member 6 is secured to opposite ends of the straight-edge. A bearing l is secured to each plate for shaft 2, part of one side of the end of the straight-edge being cut away to make room for the bearings, and openings 8 are made in the plate for wheels 3 and i. Wheel 3 rolls on guide 9. The groove of wheel 4 engages guide iii for rolling movement longitudinally thereof, and to prevent endwise movement of the straight-edge. The outer side of both plates are bent downward to right angles over guides 9 and I8, and each plate has two integral extensions having upper and lower parts ll bent to right angles engaging guides 9 and II] for holding wheels 3 and t on guides 9 and ill. Guides 9 and ill must be parallel with respect to each other. They may be attached to the edge of a drawing board l2 as shown in Fig. 17, or they may be part of a frame to be attached to a drawing board, or to a drafting table of the type parts made for interchangeable drawing boards, or

to sign boards. When the guides are attached to the edge of a drawing board as shown in Fig. 1'7

' ing corresponding parts to fit in the sockets.

the board may have two slots !3 to permit the main body of the board to expand and contract on the usual cleats M. However, this is not essential when only one of the wheels has a groove for engaging a guide. Parallelism of the movement of straight-edge i is maintained by two cords l5, wound one revolution on each wheel from the underside, each having its ends attached at opposite points to the edge of the drawing board by thumb tacks it, or by other suitable means, or to the opposite ends of a frame when a frame is used. The attaching points of the cords should be offset as shown sufficiently to prevent the cords running on themselves on the under side of the wheels.

Referring to Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 5, a carriage I! is mounted on straight-edge I for longitudinal movement, guided by ball bearing wheels It attached to the carriage, fitting closely between the inner edges of straight-edge or guide I. The carriage is held against upward displacement by two fiat bars l9 sliding on the inner sides of the straight edges, and attached to the under side of carriage if by screws and washers 2|. The ball bearings (see Fig. 24) are tapered in one direction for accurate adjustment. The internally tapered bearing ring i 8 has a tight fitting oil and dust proof cap 22, and is held in close contact with the under side of the carriage by the bearing balls running on the tapered bearing head of screw um which holds the bearings on the carriage. Carriage IT has two integral coiled socket holding members 23 adapted to hold a protraotor, or a lettering appliance hav- In Fig. 17 pantographic lettering mechanism is shown attached to the carriage, and a protractor 2 3 has shanks 25 to fit the sockets, interchangeable with the lettering appliance, whereby the machine may be used as a lettering machine, or may be used as a drafting machine.

The pantographic lettering mechanism (see Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 6) comprises two angle members 26 connected with each other by cross bar 27 and plate 28 which is the holder for the plate 29 containing the master copy, and has one edge turned up to an angle of about 60 degrees. An eccentric stud clamps as a cam the plate having the master copy in position with its rear edge against the upturned part of plate 28. Two members 3i attached to members 26 have shanks adapted to be received by sockets 23 of the carriage. Two parallel rods 32 have sleeve bearings on vertical pivots 33 and are held in place by nuts 34. A rigid frame, comprising, two channel side members or guides 35 connected by an angle cross member 35 is pivoted to the opposite end of rods 32 by screws 37 having hearings on the opposite ends of rods 32, to swing horizontally over the master copy. A bearing member 38 slidably mounted in the channel of each channel member 35, of the cross sectional shape of the inside of the channels, closely fitting in the channels for guidance thereby, has a bearing in one end to receive the respective opposite ends of rod 39, which has a wheel 49 fixed on each end, which wheels roll on the lower sides of the channel members, they being a little wider than the upper sides. Parallelism of the movement of rod 39 is maintained by two cords 4!, one wound one revolution on each wheel from the under side, the ends of the cords being attached at opposite points to the frame, each cord having a spring 32 at one end for maintaining the necessary tension. A cross bar has a slot in its opposite ends which hold it slidable on the upper part of channel 35, Two bars 46, one lying alongside each channel have one of their respective ends connected with bar 45. Each bar it has a number of notches 45a on its upper edge corresponding with the number of rows of designs or characters in the master copy at right angles with respect to the bars. Each bearing member 33 has a right angled extension 43 to which a lever i is pivoted, each having a pawl-shaped upper end adapted to engage the notches, thereby connecting bar with rod 39 for movement with it. Two springs 2-? connected with bearing members 38 hold levers 44 in engagement with the notches. Bar 45 and bars 416 may be one integral piece bent to the shape shown. A bar 48 parallel with rod 39 has its opposite ends rigidly connected with the lower ends of levers 4t, and has a number of notches 48a on its upper edge corresponding with the number of rows of designs in the master copy at right angles to the bar. A. sleeve id slidaoly mounted on rod 39 has an integral arm 50 having a slot 5| receiving bar it, and an integral tubular member 52. A tracer 53 is slidably mounted in tubular member 52, a collar 54 is slidably mounted on the tracer, an operating handle 55 is connected to the collar by tapered pivots 56 fitting in tapered holes in the collar. An arm 5i having hearings on sleeve 48 extends to and engages the notches on bar 48, thereby, holding the tracing mechanism fast on rod 39.

A pantograph adjustable for copying characters in various sizes, has its rear end attached to vertical post 52 on cross bar 2'! by screws 59, and its forward end attached to bar 4 5 by screw 68.

It will be seen that the tracer locating means just described operates the pantograph when the tracing mechanism is connected with the notches. The means for connecting and disconnecting the tracing mechanism from the notches 48a and 48a, comprises, a lever B! pivoted to an upwardly extending part of arm 50, and connected by link 62 to arm 5?, the lower end of the lever being in contact with bar $8. A wire 63 is attached to its other end and encircles tracer above collar 5 Upward movement of collar by operating handle 55 raises arm 5'17 out of engagement with the notches on bar ill, and disconnects levers 44 from the notches on bars 68, permitting the tracing mechanism to be moved to some other design of the master copy and again to be connected with the proper notches for tracing any other required character. When the tracing mechanism is disconnected from the notches it is operatively disconnected from the pantograph and may be moved to any other design or character of the master copy without displacing the drawing member from its proper position for copying the characters in line when the carriage is moved to space the characters.

The movement of bar 45 and its attached bars 2% is limited in one direction by bar coming into contact with two pins 65 on channel members 35, and in its opposite direction by the ends of bars 36 coming into contact with angle member 36. The movement of the frame is limited in both directions by channel side members contacting with pins 66 on members The adjustable pantograph comprises bars 6'5, E8, E9, and M, connected with each othc: end to end by screws 59, 12, SH, and M, and pivoted to vertical post 58 by screw 55, and pivoted to bar 45 by screw 60. A cross bar has its opposite ends slotted to receive bars 68 and GS, and its ends extend sufficiently beyond the edges bars (it Til and 69 to make room for a wheel 16 having a single groove in its periphery pivoted to the under side of one end of the bar, and a wheel 11 having a double groove in its periphery pivoted to the under side of the opposite end of the bar. A slot '18 in bar 69, and a pin l9 extending through bar 15 and the slot prevents endwise movement of bar '55. A top plate 813 (see Figs. 2, 18, and 18a) and a bottom plate 8i have splines fitting in the longitudinal slot 82 of bar I5. Plate 86 has a plain hole. Plate 3| has a threaded hole, which holes receive tubular member 82-3 having a shoulder 83a resting on plate 86 and a threaded lower end received by plate 8i. A drawing member 84 is slidably mounted in tubular member 83. A cord 85 wound one revolution around double-grooved wheel H from the inner side has one end attached to one end of bar 19 and its other end attached to spring 86 on bar 67. A cord 8'! attached to the other end of bar Ill extends over the outer side of single-grooved wheel 16 alongside plate 8! to which it is attached by a clamping clip 88 and screw 8-9, to and over the outer side of wheel Tl, back and over the outer side of wheel l6, and is attached to spring 90 which is attached to bar 5?. The two springs maintain the necessary tension. By this cord arrangement the drawing member may be set to copy the characters of the master copy in any size from about A; in. to in. high in the size shown in Fig. 1, simply by loosening tubular member 83 and sliding it with its mountings along slot 82, which will move bar E5 to the required graduated mark on bar 69, which may be seen through opening 55a in bar l5. Bar 6? is not essential, but it makes a stronger construction.

Means to prevent ink from drying in the point of the drawing pen (see Figs. 18 and 18a) com prises bracket 9| attached to plate M, an arm 92 pivoted to bracket 9!, a rubber roller having bearings on pin 94 on. the lower end of the arm, which roller is held in contact with the point of the drawing pen by spring 95 attached to bracket 9| and arm 92, and is pushed aside by descent of the drawing pen. This roller also may be any soft fibrous material containing glycerine or other hygroscopic substance. A roller is the preferred form but a nonrotatable piece may be used successfully.

The means for causing the tracer to make and break contact with the master copy, and the drawing pen to make and break contact with the drawing surface, is operated by handle 55. Referring to Figs. 18 and 18a a spring 95a encircling tubular member 83 under its. collar and having a yoke formed in its upper end engaging drawing pen 8 3 above its collar 91, exerts downward pressure on the drawing pen. The yoke end of this spring may be drawn back to permit withdrawal of the drawing pen. An upwardly extending member 98 is mounted on tubular member 83 under collar 89 to swing horizontally. Member 98 has a bracket llll pivoted to it to swing vertically having two flanges with holes to receive pin H32. A lever N33 has bearings on pin 82 and a forked end contacting with the under sides of collar 91, and has parts formed at its pivoted bearings to receive a flat bar EM, which should be a close but freely sliding fit. Referring to Fig. 6, a yoke I 05 is mounted on tracer 53 to swing horizontally. A spring I56 between the upper end of yoke H15 and collar I 61 on the tracer exerts downward pressure on the tracer. A bracket N18 is pivoted to the yoke to swing vertically, having two flanges with holes to receive pin H19. A lever H0 has bearings on pin I09 and has parts formed at its pivoted bearings to receive bar [M slidable therethrough, and has a forked end contacting with the under sides of the upper end of small yoke l H mounted on the tracer between the ends of the large yoke. A spring H2 is attached to yoke I05 and to lever H0 normally holding yoke l H at its highest position against collar tin, and against the pressure of spring I86 on the tracer, and spring Elfia on the drawing pen 84. A downward movement of collar 54 by operating handle 55 pulls down lever Ill! and lever M3 by slightly turning fiat bar it, permitting spring M6 to move the tracer into contact with the master copy, and with a further downward movement of collar 56 spring 95w moves the drawing pen into contact with the drawing surface, and on upward movement of collar 54 the drawing pen breaks contact with the drawing surface before the tracer breaks contact with the master copy. The difference between the drawing member and the tracer in time of making contact is regulated by having the point of the drawing member higher than the point of the tracer. Also the flexibility of bar 884 retards the descent of the drawing member. This diiference in time of contact may be also regulated by a difference in the length of the levers, and by the position of bar HM on the levers.

Friction prevents free movement of an ordinary tracer in the grooves of a master copy, therefore a tracer overcoming this was designed. See Figs. 22 and 23: A tubular rod 53 has a collar I01, and a chuck, comprising, a tapered, slotted, and threaded end having an internally tapered nut M3 for holding rod IM adjustable longitudinally. Rod Ht has a plane-faced point and projects about one thirty-second inch beyond the plane-faced end N5 of tubular rod 53, and should be about one thirty-second of an inch in diameter to move in grooves wide enough for free movement of the tracer, and slightly more than one thirty-second inch deep. The planefaced shoulder H5 slides on the surface of the grooved plate taking the pressure off the point of rod l M which should not touch the bottom of the grooves. The grooves should have walls perpendicular, or slightly inclined inward from top to bottom.

The drawing pen (see Figs. 20 and 21) comprises tube 84 having collar 9?, cap H6 fitting closely in but not necessarily threaded in tube 84, a chuck i 5'! having a tubular needle, screwed on the lower end of tube 83, which may be a standard hypodermic chuck with its tubular needle cut off to the required length. A cleaning and closing rod H8 extends through cap H6 and through the needle of chuck Ill for cleaning the needle, and has a flat part Mil which admits air when the rod is up, but closes the air vent when the rod is down. Several pens each with a needle of different gauge may be used for light, medium, and heavy lines.

Fig. 10 shows grooved designs on a plate 29 from which the entire alphabet of capitals, small letters, and figures may be traced. Beginning with the top row the characters in the respective designs are:WV'. 83S, UJ5, 2690, K4, second row:-BPRD, EITHLF, OQGCKz. MAY, XNZ, third row:-kxz, abcdegnhjopqru, sftil, wyv, m. They are grouped so as to make as few lines as possible.

The spacing mechanism for producing an intermittent movement of carriage H on straight edge I for vertical spacing when the straight-edge is arranged in the vertical position (see Figs. 1, 4, and 5) comprises, a clutch consisting of two clutch-members I23 and I2I (see Figs. 15 and 16) which have slots IZDa and Illla engaging one side of straight-edge I, their inner ends being an easy fit between the under side of the carriage and the inside bottom of the straight-edge, and being turned at right angles to prevent twisting of the members. A spring i241 holds the opposite edges of slots I2Ua and I2Ia in contact with one inner edge and outer side of the straight-edge, the two points of contact being obliquely across the part of the straight-edge engaged from one point of Contact to the other, whereby the gripping of the clutch members is proportional to any pressure applied to their inner ends through pins I22 and I23 on the carriage, whereby the carriage is held fast. The clutch-members are set reversed with respect to each other to hold the carriage against movement in either direction longitudinally of the straight-edge, and are releasable by pressure on their outer ends toward each other. The movement of their outer ends toward each other is limited by their contacting with pins I25 on spacing bar I25 attached to the carriage by screws I21 and thumb nuts I28. A clutch-lever I29 grips the inner edge and outer side of the straight-edge by pressure on its outer end toward clutch-member I24 and remains stationary while pressure on the outer end of clutch-member I29 toward the clutch-lever advances the carriage, the distance of which movement is regulated by an adjustable stop I30 slidably mounted on spacing bar I26, and adapted to come into contact with the clutch-lever. At each advancement spring I3I moves clutch-lever I29 back against two pins I32 which hold the lever in its straight nonengaged position.

Clutch-members I20 and IN with spring I24 may be used as a clutch independently of clutchlever I29 and its spring I3I which cooperate with the clutch-members to produce spacing mechanism.

The means for producing an intermittent movement of straight-edge I longitudinally of guide bars 9 and I0 for horizontal spacing of the copied characters, when the straight-edge is used in the vertical position (see Figs. 4, '7, 8, 9) comprises a clutch consisting of two clutch-members I33 and I34, (see Figs. 11, 12, 13, and 14) fitting closely between plates 6 and guide It), each having two flange shoulders I35 held in contact with opposite edges of guide It! by spring I35, the shoulders contacting with the guide at points obliquely thereacross from one point of contact to the other, whereby their grip is proportional to any pressure applied against their inner or upper ends which project through slots in plate 6, whereby the straight-edge is held stationary, releasable by moving the outer ends of the clutch members toward each other, which movement is limited by their contacting with flanges I37 of plate 6. The ends of the clutch-members which project through slots in plate 5 have shoulders IBM and I 34a respectively which contact with the under side of plate 5 during operation of the clutchmembers which reduces the friction of the movement of the clutch-members, but is not essential to successful operation of the members. clutch lever I38 slidable on guide ID, fitting closely between plate 6 and guide I0, is returned after each movement of the straight-edge to its straight nonengaged position against flanges I I by spring I39 connected with cord M0 running on grooved wheel MI and attached to small rod I42 which is secured to the clutch lever. This spacing mechanism is operated from the carriage as follows:A grooved wheel I43 has a pivot bearing on the under side of an extension of carriage IT, a lever I44 has a pivot bearing on the carriage, and near its outer end it bends slightly downward and has pivoted to it a grooved wheel I45 adjacent wheel I43, the outer end of the lever being formed into a circular finger hold. A cord I46 is wound once around the two wheels, the upper part of the cord runs over one of two wheels I41 attached to a turned up part of plate 6 at the end of straight-edge I, then over one of two wheels on the outer end of clutch-member I33, the end of it being attached to the outer end of clutch-lever I38. The lower part of cord I46 runs over one of two grooved wheels I49 at the opposite end of the straight-edge I, and over one of two grooved wheels I50 on clutch-member I5I, and is attached to the outer end of clamping member I52. These two clutch-members are held on guide 9 by plate 6, and are held in gripping contact with the guide by spring I53. Their inner or upper ends engage slots in plate 6, and they are the same as the clutch-members on the opposite end of the straight-edge. The lower end of the straight-edge is held fast by this clutch, which cooperates with the spacing mechanism, both operated simultaneously by lever E44, by which the pull on cord I43 moves clutchmember I33 to its disengaged position against one of the flanges I31, and clutch-lever I38 to which the cord is attached grips guide III and remains stationary while the straight-edge advances. The movement of lever I44 is regulated to the required distance by stop I54 adjustable along spacing bar I26. The means for regulating the distance of the spacing is placed on the carriage for convenience. With a small machine on a small board the spacing bar would as well be placed with the rest of the spacing mechanism, as it would be within convenient reach for regulating.

For the operation of clutch mechanism only, a lever I55 is pivoted to carriage I7 and has a grooved wheel I56 adjacent wheel I51 which is pivoted to the under side of carriage IT. A cord I58 is wound once around the two grooved wheels, its lower part runs over one of two grooved wheels I49, and over one of two grooved wheels I50 on clutch-member I5I and is attached to the outer end of clutch-member I52. By tying cord I46 to cord I58 near double wheels I49, a single wheel of I49 and of I51) may be used instead of double wheels. The upper part of the cord runs over one of each of the double wheels I4! and I48, but is attached to the outer end of clutch-member I34 instead of to lever I38.

Operation To operate the spacing mechanism for vertical spacing, place thumb of left hand on lever I29 and finger on clutch-member I20, and move the carriage until stop I30 contacts with lever I 29.

To operate the spacing mechanism for horizontal spacing, place thumb on; clutch-member I20 and finger on lever I44, and move the lever into contact with stop I54.

To release the carriage clutch for vertical movement only of the carriage, place thumb and finger on clutch-members I20 and I2 I, and move them into contact with pins I25.

To release the straight-edge clutch for the longitudinal movement only of straight-edge I,

place thumb on lever I and finger on clutchmember IZI, and move the lever toward the clutch-member.

To release both clutches for movement of the carriage in any direction, place finger on clutchmember I23 and thumb on lever I55, whereby lever I55 contacts with member I2I, releasing both clutches.

In the pantographic mechanism described there is an adjustable pantograph having a drawing member only, and additional pantographic mechanism operating the first mentioned pantograph, and having a tracer only. The additional pantographic mechanism consists of frame 35 mounted to move horizontally over the master copy, rod 39, and bars 45 and I8 supporting the tracer locating means, their ends being adapted to be guided by the channel guides of the frame for movement longitudinally of the frame in a direction at right angles to the direction of movement of the frame.

Figs. 25 and 26 illustrate a different species of the copying mechanism described, which may be employed with a machine like that described, wherein two tracks I parallel with respect to each other, which may be a frame as shown, are mounted on supporting members 26 which are the same as in the first described machine, by four angle brackets NH and screws I62, and attached to the sides of frame I69 by any suitable means. A frame W3 has two bracket bearings I6 to receive shaft I having a wheel I66 fixed on one end, and a wheel It'd having a groove which engages the track, fixed on the other end, the frame being held in place by two flat bars I68 attached to the under side of frame I63 adjacent bracket bearings ISA, contacting with the under side of frame I60. Bracket bearings Ifif are held in place on frame IE3 by a screw I69 in a slot in each bracket, by which means the wheels may be adjusted closely to tracks I60. The opposite end of frame I63 is held on frame use for sliding movement by two members I10 attached to frame Hi3, bent to right angles at top and bottom to receive frame IBI'J. Parallelism of the movement of frame I63 is maintained by two cords Il2 wound one revolution on each wheel from the under side, their ends being offset and attached to opposite sides of frame It'd by screws I13. On frame I63 is mounted a transparent plate I14, for movement in a direction at right angles to the movement of the frame, by means of a flat bar I15 having two upwardly extending bearing members lit to receive shaft I'I'I which has a wheel I13 fixed on one end, and a wheel Ila fixed on the opposite end, having a groove for engaging frame I63, held on the frame by a bar I26 at each end of bar I15 having a double angle the lower part of which contacts with the under side of frame I83, the bar being attached to the under side of plate I'M by screws I8I eX tending through the plate and bar I IS. The opposite end of the transparent plate is held on frame I83 for sliding movement by flat bar I82 contacting with the upper edge of frame I53, and a flat bar I83 having a double angle attached to the under side of plate IM and to the respective ends of bar I32 by screws I84, and contacting with the under edges of frame I63. Parallelism of the movement of the transparent plate is maintained by two cords I85 wound one revolution on each wheel from the under side, their ends being offset and attached to opposite ends of frame H33 by screws I86. The transparency of plate IM gives a clear View of the master copy.

The means for locating the tracer for tracing the designs of the master copy, consists of tubes I81 cemented in holes in plate I'M, each being positioned for tracing a particular design, the tracer being inserted in the proper tube for tracing the design corresponding in position with the tube. By this arrangement shifting the tracer from one of the tubes IB'I to another for tracing the characters of the various designs does not displace the drawing pen from its proper position for copying the characters in line with each other when the carriage is moved to space the charactors. The adjustable pantograph may be attached to arm I88 which is attached to bar HE.

A modification of the transparent plate is shown in Fig. 27, wherein a frame I89 has at one end two bearing members I90 integral with the frame to receive shaf I'I'I having wheels III? and H9, and arm I88. The frame is held on frame I63 for movement in a direction at right angles to the movement of frame I63, by two flat bars IdI attached to the under side of each corner of the end of the frame having the two bearing members I90, and sliding on the under side of frame I63, and two members I92 attached to the sides of the opposite ends of frame It!) having parts bent to right angles at top and bottom eX- tending in the same direction as bars IQI for engaging frame IB3, and cords as in Fig. 25 for maintaining parallelism. The device functions in every way as the transparent plate, but instead of a transparent plate for giving a view of the master copy, an open gratelike frame of parallel bars I93 is used, with tubes Iil'l on the bars for locating the tracer, the spaced bars giving a view of the master copy. And this frame of spaced bars with its mountings may be substituted in Fig. 25 for the transparent plate with its mountmgs.

It is obvious that the adjustable pantograph may be eliminated, and the drawing pen may be attached direct to arm I88 as shown in Fig. 29, in which case the arm should extend a little further out. Also this arm I88 with the drawing pen attached to it may be fixed to bar 35 of the first described mechanism to take the place or" the adjustable pantograph.

The frame pivoted to the free ends of rods 32 moves in one direction, bar 418 and rod 39 carry the tracer and its locating means, and all including bar 35 with its attached bars 4% when connected with the rest of the tracer locating means, move on the frame in a direction at right angles to the movement of the frame, therefore,

when an arm as bar I38 is attached to bar 45,

and a drawing pen is attached to the arm as shown in Fig. 29, the drawing pen will duplicate the movements of the tracer when the tracer is located in position for tracing. Likewise, in Fig. 25 frame I63 moves on track I68, and transparent plate I'M moves on frame I63 in a direction at right angles to the movement of frame I53, therefore, a drawing member attached to arm I88 will duplicate the movements of the tracer when it is in any of the tubes It'll.

I do not limit all of my claims to mechanism with the particular straight-edge shown, nor to the particular means for maintaining parallelism of the movement of the straight-edge as shown therewith, as there are numerous well known means in the drafting art for maintaining parallelism of a straight-edge.

Plates 6 attached to straight-edge I, would prevent endwise movement of the straight-edge without shaft 2 and wheels 3 and l. And the plates adapt it to be guided by guide bars or guide members with other means for maintaining parallelism than that shown.

And the straight-edge as shown may be used in the horizontal position, in which case the two members 35 having shanks adapted to be received by sockets 23 of the carriage, would be placed on the lower supporting angle member 25, see MA, Fig. 1'7.

And a straight-edge as shown may be maintained for parallel movement by the well known means consisting of a cross head attached to the upper end of the straight-edge and having rollers at each end cooperating with a guide fixed to the upper end of a drawing board.

The preferred arrangement of the straightedge with respect to the guide is at right angles, however, it is obvious that in many combinations herein claimed that include the guide and the straight-edge, the straight-edge could be inclined a number of degrees from its right angled position and still be useful for the purpose indicated.

I claim:

1. A guide and means for attaching it to sup- '"porting means having a drawing surface; a

straight-edge and means adapting it to be guided by said guide longitudinally thereof, and for maintaining it at right angles thereto, a carriage having means mounting it for movement longitudinally on said straight-edge, a master copy carried by said carriage and pantographic copying means carried by said carriage for copying the characters of said master copy on said drawing surface in line with each other or in any position with respect to each other, and a clutch carried by said straight-edge for holding it fast on said guide.

2. In mechanism as in claim 1, means for operating said clutch from said carriage.

3. In mechanism as in claim 1, spacing mechanism carried by said carriage for spacing the copied characters longitudinally of said straightedge.

4. A guide and means for attaching it to supporting means having a drawing surface; a straight-edge and means adapting it to be guided by said guide longitudinally thereof, and for maintaining it at right angles thereto, a carriage having means mounting it for movement longitudinally on said straight-edge, a master copy carried by said carriage and pantographic copying means carried by said carriage for copying the characters of said master copy on said drawing surface in line with each other or in any position with respect to each other, and a clutch carried by said carriage for holding it fast on said straight-edge.

5. In mechanism as in claim 4, clutch carried by said straight-edge for holding it fast on said guide, and means for operating the straight-edge clutch from said carriage, simultaneously with the operation of the carriage clutch, and for operating it independently thereof.

6. In mechanism as in claim 4, spacing mechanism carried by said straight-edge for spacing the copied characters longitudinally of said guide.

'7. In mechanism as in claim 4, spacing mechanism carried by said straight-edge for spacing the copied characters longitudinally of said guide, and means for operating said spacing mechanism from said carriage.

8. In mechanism as in claim 4, spacing mechanism carried by said straight-edge for spacing 1e copied characters longitudinally of said guide, means for regulating the distance of the spacing of said spacing mechanism fixed to said carriage, and means for operating said spacing mechanism from said carriage.

9. A guide and means for attaching it to supporting means having a drawing surface; a straight-edge and means adapting it to be guided by said guide longitudinally thereof, and for maintaining it at right angles thereto, a carriage adapted for movement longitudinally on said straight-edge, a master copy carried by said carriage and pantographic copying means carried by said carriage for copying the characters of said master copy on said drawing surface in line with each other or in any position with respect to each other, and spacing mechanism carried by said straight-edge cooperating with said guide for spacing longitudinally thereof.

10. In mechanism as in claim 9, spacing mechanism carried by said carriage for spacing longitudinally of said straight-edge, and means for operating the first mentioned spacing mechanism from said carriage.

11. Two guides, supporting means therefor holding them parallel with respect to each other, a straight-edge and means adapting it to be guided by at least one of said guides, and for maintaining it at right angles thereto for movement longitudinally thereon, a carriage and means mounting it for movement longitudinally on said straightedge, a master copy carried by said carriage, and pantographic copying means carried by said carriage for copying the characters of said master copy in line with each other or in any position with respect to each other on a drawing surface over which said straight-edge may be arranged to move, a clutch carried by each end of said straight-edges cooperating with said guides for holding the straight-edge fast thereon, and means for operating said clutches from said carriage.

12. Two guides, supporting means holding them parallel with respect to each other, a straightedge and means adapting it to be guided by at least one of said guides, and for maintaining it at right angles thereto for movement longitudinally thereon, a carriage and means mounting it for movement longitudinally on said straight-edge, spacing mechanism carried by one end of said straight-edge cooperating with one of said guides, a clutch carried by the opposite end of said straight-edge normally engaging the opposite guide member and cooperating with said spacing mechanism, and means for operating the spacing means and the clutch simultaneously from said carriage.

13. A guide and means for attaching it to supporting means having a drawing surface, a straight-edge and means adapting it to be guided by said guide longitudinally thereof and for maintaining it at right angles thereto, a carriage having means engaging said straight-edge for guidance of the carriage longitudinally thereof, a master copy and pantographic copying means carried by said carriage for copying the characters of said master copy on a drawing surface, a clutch consisting of a pair of similar clutchmembers carried by said straight-edge slidable on said guide, each having two engaging contacts therewith obliquely thereacross from one point of contact to the other point of contact, and each being reversed with respect to the other, means operatively connecting one end of each clutchmember with said straight-edge for holding said straight-edge against movement longitudinally of said guide, a spring holding the clutch-members in engagement with said guide, releasable by moving their free ends towards each other, and two lugs carried by said straight-edge limiting the movement of their free ends toward each other, against which lugs they are held disengaged.

14. In mechanism as in claim 13, means cooperating with the clutch of said straightedge, for the horizontal spacing of the copied characters when the straight-edge is arranged in the vertical position, comprising, a grooved wheel on the unconnected end of one of said clutch-members, a free clutch-lever slidable on said guide, a grooved wheel pivoted to said carriage, a lever pivoted to said carriage, a grooved wheel pivoted to said lever, adjacent the last mentioned grooved wheel, a cord wound once around the two grooved wheels, one of its ends being attached to the lower end of said straight-edge, its other end being attached to the extended end of said free clutch-lever over said grooved wheel on one of the clutch-members, the free clutch-lever having a two point engaging contact with said guide obliquely thereacross from one point of contact to the other point of contact, whereby it grips said guide and remains stationary by the pull of said cord on its extended end, while movement of said pivoted lever advances the straight-edge, a spacing bar attached to said carriage, a stop adjustable therealong to regulate the distance of the movement of said pivoted lever, and a spring carried by said straight-edge, attached to said free clutch-lever for returning the clamping-lever to its straight nonengaged position against the mountings of said straight-edge after each movement of the straight-edge.

15. A guide and means for attaching it to sup:- porting means having a, drawing surface; a straight-edge and means adapting it to be guided by said guide longitudinally thereof and for maintaining it at right angles thereto, a carriage and means mounting it for movement longitudinally on said straight-edge, a master copy and pantographic copying means for copying the characters of the master copy on said drawing surface, carried by said carriage, a clutch consisting of a pair of similar clutch-members carried by said carriage, slidable on said straight-edge, each having two gripping contacts with said straight-edg at points obliquely thereacross from one point of contact to the other point of contact, set reversed with respect to each other, their inner ends being connected with said carriage, their outer ends extending for manual operation, a spring holding them in engagement with said straight-edge, releasable by removing their extended ends toward each other, and projecting pins carried by said carriage limiting the movement of their extended ends toward each other, against which pins the clutch members are held disengaged. 4

16. In mechanism as in, claim 15, a clutch consisting of a pair of similar clutch-members carried by said straight-edge, each normally having two gripping contacts with opposite sides of said guide obliquely thereacross from one point of contact to the other, a spring holding them in engagement therewith, and each being reversed with respect to the other, means operatively connecting one end of each of said clutch-members with said straight-edge for preventing movement of said straight-edge longitudinally of said guide bar, said clutch-members being disengaged by moving their opposite ends towards each other, means for operating the last mentioned clutch-members from said carriage, comprising a grooved wheel on the unconnected end of one of them, a grooved wheel pivoted to said carriage, a lever pivoted to said carriage adjacent said grooved wheel and one of the carriage clutch-members, a grooved wheel pivoted to said pivoted lever, a cord wound once around the last mentioned two grooved wheels, one end thereof being connected to the unconnected end of one of the pair of clutch-members, over the grooved wheel on the other clutch member, the other end of the cord being connected to the opposite end of said straight-edge, whereby the ends of the clutch-members to which the cords are connected may be pulled toward each other, and said pivoted lever which contacts with the adjacent carriage clutch-member when the pivoted lever and the other clutch-member of the carriage are moved toward each other, thereby releasing all clutch members.

17. In mechanism as in claim 15, means cooperating with said carriage clutch for vertical spacing when the straight-edge is arranged in the vertical position, comprising a free clutchlever slidable on said straight-edge, one end thereof extending for manual operation, adapted to grip said straight-edge in the same way as said clutch members and remain stationary by pressure on its extended end while pressure on the furthest clutch member advances the carriage, a spacing bar carried by said carriage, a stop adjustable therealong for regulating the distance of movement of said carriage by coming into contact with said free clutch-lever, two pins carried by said carriage, and a spring attached to said carriage and to said free clutch-lever, for returning the clutch-lever to its straight non-engaged position against said pins after each movement of the carriage.

18. A straight-edge having its two edges turned inward forming a housing on each side thereof adapted for shielding rods or cords that may be used for operating clutches, or for maintaining parallelism of the straight-edge, and forming parallel inner straight-edges, a carriage having a roller attached to it at each end, the two rollers fitting closely between, said edges, and revolving horizontally with respect to the bottom of said straight-edge, and means carried by said carriage cooperating with the inner sides of the edges of said straight-edge, for holding the carriage thereon.

19. A straight-edge of material of practically uniform thickness having its two edges turned inward forming a housing on each side thereof for shielding rods, or cords, and forming parallel inner straight-edges adapted to receive and guide rollers, or other bearing parts of drafting devices, or lettering devices fitting closely between said edges.

20. In pantographic copying mechanism, a support, a master copy and a p-antograph and means mounting them on said support, a tubular member having a collar at its upper end and means mounting it on said pantograph, a drawing member slidably mounted in said tubular member, having a collar near its upper end, a spring with one end encircling said tubular member under the collar thereof, its other end engaging said drawing member above the collar thereof, pressing downward on said drawing member, an upwardly extending member mounted on said tubular member to swing horizontally, and a lever, one end of which is pivoted to said upwardly extending member to swing in a vertical plane, its other end contacting with the under side of the collar on said drawing member, a second tubular member operatively connected with said pantograph, a tracer slidably mounted in said second tubular member, a yoke mounted on said tracer and tubular member to swing horizontally, a collar on said tracer between the ends of said yoke, a spring between said collar and the upper end of said yoke, pressing down on said tracer, a lever having bearings at one end on said yoke to swing in a vertical plane, its other end contacting with the under side of the collar on said tracer, a flat bar and parts formed on the lever of said tracer and the lever of said drawing member at their bearing ends to receive said fiat bar slidable therethrough, a spring connected to the yoke of the tracer and to the lever having bearings thereon, normally holding both of said levers at their highf est position against the pressure of the spring on said tracer and the spring on said drawing member, a collar slidably mounted on said tracer, means flexibly connecting said collar to the free end of the lever on said yoke and an operating handle engaging said slidable collar, whereby a downward movement of said collar will pull down the lever, permitting the spring on said tracer and the spring on said drawing member to force them downward the tracer contacting with the master copy first, the connecting points of said bar with said levers being sufiiciently difierentiated to require a further downward movement of the collar bringing the drawing member into contact with the drawing surface.

21. A pantograph adjustable for copying characters in various sizes, comprising four bars pivoted to each other end to end, a cross bar having slots in its two opposite ends to receive two of said bars, slidable thereon, one of the bars received by said two slots having a slot of the length of the travel of said cross bar, a pin extending through said cross bar and slot to prevent endwise movement of the cross bar, a wheel having a groove in its periphery and a pivot bearing on one end of said cross bar, a wheel having two grooves in its periphery and a pivot bearing on the opposite end of said cross bar, said cross bar having a longitudinal slot extending approximately to said end slots, a tubular member and means mounting it for movement in the longitudinal slot of said cross bar, a drawing member slidably mounted in said tubular member, a tracer operatively connected with said pantograph, a cord wound once around said double grooved wheel from the inner side thereof, its ends being attached to said pantograph at its two nearest pivotal joints, and a cord running over the outer side of the single grooved wheel, it being attached to the mountings of said tubular member, then over the double grooved wheel, back and over the outer side of the single grooved wheel, its ends being attached to said pantograph at the opposite two nearest pivotal joints of the pantograph, by which arrangement said drawing member may be set to copy characters in any size within the capacity of the machine.

22. A pantograph, a drawing pen and means mounting it on said pantograph, means adapting the drawing pen to be lowered and raised for making and breaking contact with a drawing surface, and means for preventing ink from drying in the-point of said drawing pen, comprising, an arm and means on the mountings of said drawing pen pivotally supporting said arm, a soft elastic member supported by the unattached end of said arm, and a spring attached to said supporting means and to said arm, holding said member in contact with the point of said pen while the pen is in its highest position, the pivotal bearings of the arm being a sufiicient distance from the drawing pen to give the arm an angular position with respect to the drawing pen which adapts the arm to be moved outward by descent of the drawing pen.

23. A drawing pen, comprising, a tube, a chuck having a tubular needle, screwed on one end of said tube, a cap for closing its other end, having a hole in its center, and a rod fitting closely in said hole, having a cleaning needle fitting in said tubular needle, and having a fiat part providing an air vent through the hole in said cap when said rod is raised.

24. A support, a master copy consisting of a plate having grooved characters thereon carried by said support, pantographic copying mechanism carried by said support, for copying the characters of said master copy on a drawing surface over which said support may be arranged to move, the tracer of said pantographic copying mechanism being adapted to be guided by the grooves of said master copy, and a shoulder on said tracer adapted to slide on the surface of said master copy preventing contact of the point of said tracer with the bottom of said grooves for preventing friction therebetween.

25. A tracer, comprising, a tubular rod having one end plane-faced, and having a chuck, consisting of a slotted, threaded, and externally tapered opposite end, a nut having an internal taper to fit said tapered end, and a rod extending through said tube and projecting slightly beyond its plane-faced end adjustably held by said chuck.

26. In pantographic copying mechanism, a support, a master copy of spaced characters and means mounting it on said support, supporting means and means mounting the supporting means on said support for universal movement in the plane of said master copy, and maintaining the supporting means at a fixed angle with respect to said master copy, a drawing member and means operatively connecting it with said supporting means, locating means carried by said supporting means, and a tracer adapted to be located thereby in the various positions for tracing the respective correspondingly positioned characters of the master copy, the tracer being operatively disconnected from said locating means while it is being moved from one tracing position to another, whereby the drawing member remains in its proper position for copying said characters in line with each other and in any position with respect to each other in the line on a drawing surface over which said support may be arranged to move.

27. In pantographic copying mechanism, a support, a master copy and means mounting it on said support, two guides and means holding them spaced and parallel with respect to each other, and means mounting them on said support for lateral movement over said master copy, a supporting bar each end thereof being adapted to be guided by said guides for lateral movement longitudinally thereof, a drawing member and means operatively connecting it with said bar, a supporting rod parallel with said bar, having on each end a bearing member cooperating with said guides for lateral movement of the rod longitudinally on the guides, and means for maintaining the rod at right angles to said guides, tracer locating means, comprising, two bars connected with the respective ends of said bar and extending alongside said guides and each having a series of locating notches spaced to correspond in one direction with the spacing of the characters of the master copy, a right angled extension on each of said bearing members, two bell-crank levers pivoted on the respective extensions, two springs connected with the respective bearing members and with one end of the respective levers for holding said ends in engagement with said notches, an additional supporting bar parallel with said rod and having each end rigidly connected with the other ends of the respective 1evers and having a series of notches spaced to correspond with the spacing of the characters of the master copy in a direction at right angles to the first mentioned spacing, a sleeve slidable on said rod, having an integral arm, the arm having a slot in its end to receive the bar connected with said levers, a right angled extension on said arm, a lever pivoted thereon, the lower end of the lever contacting with the bar connected with said levers, an arm having bearings at one end on said sleeve, a link connecting it with the last mentioned lever, its other end being held by said springs in engagement with one of the notches on the bar connected with said levers, said sleeve having an integral tubular member, a tracer slidably mounted in said tubular member, and means flexibly connecting it with the upper end of the last mentioned lever, whereby the upward movement of said tracer disengages the end of said arm from the notches and the ends of both levers from the notches, permittingthe tracer and the rod and bar on which the tracer is mounted, to be moved and again be located by said notches in position for tracing any character of the master copy without moving the drawing member from its correct position for drawing them in line with each other on a drawing surface over which said support may be arranged to move.

28. In pantographic copying mechanism, a support, a master copy and means mounting it on said support, a transparent plate and means mounting it on said support for universal movement in the plane of said master copy, and maintaining it at a fixed angle with respect to said master copy, a drawing member and means operatively connecting it with said transparent plate, a tracer and holes in said transparent plate spaced to correspond with the spacing of the characters of the master copy for locating the tracer in the different positions for tracing the respective characters of the master copy, the tracer being disconnected from said holes for moving it from one tracing position to another, whereby, the drawing member remains in its proper position for copying the characters of the master copy in line with each other and in any combination of each other in the line on a drawing surface over which the support may be arranged to move.

29. In pantographic copying mechanism, a support, a master copy and means mounting it on said support, a supporting frame of bars spaced and parallel with respect to each other, and means mounting it on said support for universal movement horizontally over said master copy and maintaining it at a fixed angle with respect to said master copy, a drawing member and means operatively connecting it with said frame, locating means on said bars spaced to correspond with the spacing of the characters of the master copy, a tracer adapted to be located by said locating means in the different positions corresponding to the positions of the different characters of the master copy for tracing the respective characters, the tracer being operatively disconnected from said locating means while it is being moved from one tracing position to another,

whereby, the drawing member remains in its proper position for drawing the characters in line and in any position with respect to each other in the line on a drawing surface over which said support may be arranged to move.

30. In pantographic copying mechanism, a support, a master copy and means mounting it on said support, two rods pivoted to said support to swing horizontally over the support, a rigid frame including two parallel guides, pivoted to the free ends of said rods holding the rods parallel with respect to each other, the frame swinging in the plane of said master copy, and being maintained at a fixed angle with respect to said master copy by said rods, supporting means having means cooperating with said guides for movement of the supporting means longitudinally thereon in a direction at right angles to the lateral movement of said guides, a drawing member and means operatively connecting it with said supporting means, locating means carried by said supporting means, and a tracer adapted to be located thereby in the Various positions corresponding to the positions of the different characters of the master copy for tracing the characters, the tracer being operatively disconnected from said locating means while the tracer is being moved from one tracing position to another, whereby, the drawing member remains in the proper position for copying the characters in line with each other on a drawing surface over which i said support may be arranged to move.

31. In pantographic copying mechanism, a

support, a master copy and means mounting it on said support, supporting means and means mounting said supporting means on said support for universal movement in the plane of the master copy and maintaining the supporting means at a fixed angle with respect to said master Copy, a pantograph having a drawing member, and means for adjusting the pantograph to copy the characters of the master copy in various sizes, one end of the pantograph being pivoted to said support, its other end being pivoted to said supporting means, locating means carried by said supporting means, a tracer adapted to be located thereby in the different positions for tracing the respective correspondingly positioned characters of the master copy, said tracer being operatively disconnected from said locating means while the tracer is being moved from one tracing position to another, whereby the drawing member remains in the correct position for copying them in line on a drawing surface over which said support may be arranged to move.

32. A guide, a straight-edge and means adapting it to be guided by said guide, and for maintaining it at right angles thereto for movement longitudinally thereof, a clutch carried by said straight-edge for holding the straight-edge fast on said guide, a carriage having means mounting it on said straight-edge for movement longitudinally thereon, a grooved wheel and means pivotally mounting it on said carriage, a member carried by said carriage adapted for a to and fro movement, a grooved wheel pivotally secured to said member in position for movement to and from the first mentioned grooved wheel, a cord wound once around the two grooved wheels, one end thereof being attached to the lower end of said straight-edge, and its other end being connected with said clutch for operating the clutch from the carriage by operating said member.

33. Two guides, supporting means therefor holding them spaced and parallel with respect to each other, a straight-edge and means adapting it to be guided by at least one of said guides and for maintaining it at right angles thereto for movement longitudinally thereon, a clutch carried by each end of said straight-edge for holding the straight-edge fast on said guides, a carriage having means cooperating with said straightedge for guidance of the carriage longitudinally thereof, a grooved wheel and means pivotally mounting it on said carriage, a member carried by said carriage adapted for a to and fro movement, a grooved wheel pivotally secured to said member in position for movement to and from the first mentioned grooved wheel, and a cord wound once around the two grooved wheels, one end of the cord being connected with the clutch of one end of said straight-edge, the other end of said cord being connected with the clutch of the opposite end of said straight-edge, for operating the two clutches simultaneously from said carriage by operating said member.

34. A guide, a straight-edge and means adapting it to be guided by said guide and for maintaining it at right angles thereto for movement longitudinally thereof, spacing mechanism carried by said straight-edge cooperating with said guide for hon'zontal spacing when the straightedge is arranged in the vertical position, a carriage having means cooperating with said straight-edge for guidance of the carriage longitudinally thereof, a grooved wheel rotatably mounted on said carriage, a member carried by said carriage adapted for a to and fro movement, a grooved wheel pivotally secured to said member in position for movement to and from the first mentioned grooved wheel, a cord wound once around the two grooved wheels, having one end attached to the lower end of said straight-edge, and its other end connected with said spacing mechanism for operating the spacing-mechanism from said carriage by operating said member.

35. A guide, a carriage adapted for movement longitudinally on said guide, a master copy carried by said carriage, and pantographic mechanism carried by said carriage, for copying the characters of said master copy in line with each other, or in any position with respect to each other on a drawing surface over which the device may be arranged to be used, and a clutch carried by said carriage for holding the carriage fast on said guide.

36. A guide, a carriage adapted for movement longitudinally on said guide, a master copy carried by said carriage, and pantographic mechanism carried by said carriage, for copying the characters of said master copy, a clutch carried by said carriage for holding the carriage fast on said guide, comprising a pair of similar clutch members each having two gripping contacts with said guide at points obliquely thereacross from one point of contact to the other, a spring holding them in engagement with said guide, means flexibly connecting one end of each clutch member with said carriage to prevent longitudinal movement of the carriage, they being reversed with respect to each other to prevent movement of the carriage in either direction longitudinally of the guide, and being disengaged for longitudinal movement of the carriage by moving their free ends in the required reverse direction with respect to each other.

37. Two guides, supporting means therefor holding them spaced and parallel with respect to each other, a straight-edge and means adapting it to be uided by at least one of said guides,

and for maintaining it at right angles thereto for movement longitudinally thereon, a carriage and means mounting it on said straight-edge for movement longitudinally of the straight-edge, a clutch carried by each end of said straight-edge for holding the straight-edge fast on said guides, means connected with said clutches extending lengthwise of said straight-edge, and means on said carriage for actuating said extending means for operating said clutches simultaneously.

38. Two guides and supporting means holding them spaced and parallel with each other, a straight-edge and means adapting it to be guided by at least one of said guides and for maintaining it at right angles thereto for movement longitudinally thereof, a carriage and means mounting it for movement longitudinally on said straightedge, a clutch carried by each end of said straightedge, comprising a pair of similar clutch members, each clutch member having two engaging contacts with one of the respective guides obliquely thereacross from one point of contact to the other point of contact, means operatively connectlng one end of each clutch member with said straight-edge, each clutch member preventing movement of the straight-edge in one direction only longitudinally of the guides, each pair of clutch members being reversed with respect to each other for preventing movement of the straight-edge in either direction longitudinally of said guides, each pair of clutch members having a spring holding them in engagement with the respective guides, releasable by moving their free ends in the required reverse direction with respect to each other, means connected with said clutches extending lengthwise of said straightedge and for disengaging the clutches from the guides, and means on said carriage for actuating said lengthwise extending means.

39. A guide and means for attaching it to sup porting means having a drawing surface, a straight-edge and means adapting it to be guided by said guide longitudinally thereof and for maintaining it at right angles thereto, a carriage adapted to be guided by said straightedge longitudinally thereof, a clutch carried by said straight-edge, comprising a pair of similar clutch members each having two engaging contacts with said guide obliquely thereacross from one point of contact to the other point of contact, a spring holding the clutch members in engagement with said guide, means operatively connecting one end of each clutch member with said straight-edge for holding the straight-edge fast on the guide, the clutch members being substantially reversed with respect to each other, whereby one clutch member prevents movement of the straight-edge in one direction longitudinally of the guide and the other clutch member prevents movement of the straight-edge in the opposite direction, they being disengaged for longitudinal movement of the straight-edge by moving their free ends in the required reverse direction with respect to each other, means connected with said clutch extending lengthwise of said straight-edge and for disengaging the clutch, and means on said carriage for actuating said lengthwise extending means, permitting the carriage to be moved in any direction over the drawing surface.

40. A guide and means for attaching it to supporting means having a drawing surface, a straight-edge and means adapting it to be guided by said guide longitudinally thereof and for maintaining it at right angles thereto, a carriage and means mounting it for movement longitudinally on said straight-edge, a clutch for holding said carriage fast on said straight-edge, comprising a pair of similar clutch members carried by said carriage each having two gripping contacts with said straight-edge obliquely across the part of the straight-edge engaged, from one point of contact to the other point of contact, a spring holding said clutch members in engagement with said straight-edge, means flexibly connecting one end of each clutch member with said carriage for preventing longitudinal movement of the carriage, they being reversed with respect to each other for preventing movement of the carriage in either direction longitudinally of said straight-edge, and being disengaged for permitting longitudinal movement of the carriage, by moving their free ends in the required reverse direction with respect to each other, a clutch carried by said straightedge for holding the straight-edge fast on said guide, means connected with said straight-edge clutch extending lengthwise of said straight-edge and for disengaging the straight-edge clutch, and means on said carriage for actuating said lengthwise extending means and for disengaging the carriage clutch simultaneously, for movement of the carriage in any direction over the drawing surface, and for disengaging said clutches independently of each other.

41. In pantographic copying mechanism in lettering machines, a plate having spaced grooves for guiding a tracer for tracing capital letters, small letters, and figures, each groove having parts formed for tracing the correspondingly formed parts of several different characters combined in such a way as to facilitate the tracing of each individual character substantially as described and illustrated.

LEONARD MACDONALD. 

